Updated: Tuesday, 18 Feb 2014 13:16

The charges facing Philip Fenton relate to an inspection of his yard carried out over two years ago

Philip Fenton, trainer of such Cheltenham Festival hopefuls as Last Instalment, Dunguib, The Tullow Tank and Value at Risk, is scheduled to appear at a County Tipperary court on Thursday charged with the possession of banned substances.

The Department of Agriculture brought the case following an inspection of Fenton's yard in January 2012.

A statement said: "The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine confirms that a hearing is scheduled for Carrick-on-Suir District Court on Thursday.

"Charges are being brought under the Animal Remedies legislation, alleging offences relating to possession of animal remedies.

"A person who commits one of the offences listed above is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €5,000 or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding six months or to both."

The Courts Service confirmed in a summons notice that Fenton, of Garryduff, South Lodge, Carrick-on-Suir, has been served with a series of charges in relation to animal remedies.

The case has already been mentioned twice at the District Court and is due to be heard again on Thursday.

The former contains the anabolic steroid ethylestranol, while Ilium Stanabolic contains the anabolic steroid stanozolol.

Last season, British-based trainers Mahmood Al Zarooni and Gerard Butler were handed lengthy bans after being found guilty of administering anabolic steroids to a number of their charges.

Fenton has enjoyed a major upturn in his fortunes on the track in recent weeks, with Last Instalment winning the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown eight days ago, while former Cheltenham Festival Champion Bumper hero Dunguib recording a first win in almost three years at Navan on Sunday.

Dunguib followed up his Prestbury Park heroics in the Irish equivalent at the Punchestown Festival in 2009, but was subsequently disqualified after he tested positive for a banned substance. The Turf Club fined Fenton €3000, while acknowledging that Fenton was personally innocent of any wrongdoing.

Denis Egan, chief executive of the Turf Club, confirmed the body is aware of the upcoming hearing.

Egan said: "We are aware there is a case coming up and we will be there to see what happens. Once the case has concluded, we will take any appropriate action.